Wendell Barnhouse is a nationally-known and respected columnist who has spent over 20 years covering collegiate athletics. He has reported from 25 Final Fours and more than three dozen bowl games and has written about the Big 12 and its schools since the conference's beginning. Barnhouse will be updating the Big 12 Insider on happenings and behind-the-scenes information about the conference.

Iowa State fifth-year senior Bubu Palo is confident in his game following a strong performance in the Capital City League this summer.

And Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com expands on the Palo story by writing about how Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg is once again rebuilding his roster and possibly building another NCAA Tournament team.

The Big 12 will experiment using an eighth official this season and Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman notes it’s the first change in the number of officials on the field in 30 years.